have-a-go hero n.— «Mr. Smeaton’s celebrity reflects the general relief across Britain that no one was injured in the Glasgow attack, or in the previous day’s attempt to detonate two cars in London. His description of the attack in early news...
terror-clown n.— «The car bombs—one parked outside a London nightclub, one near Trafalgar Square and one driven into Glasgow airport—seemed especially incompetent. Lewis Page, a former bomb-disposal officer, suspects the patio-gas canisters crammed...
carrot-cruncher n.— «Carrot-munchers 1; global confectionery giant 0. For millions of people around the world, Sunday’s climbdown by the makers of Mars Bars was a particularly sweet success. I use the term “carrot-munchers” affectionately, being...
freedom bag n.— «A range of see-through bags aimed at commuters left nervous by the London bombings was launched yesterday. It is claimed the “freedom bags” will make passengers feel more at ease on the Tube, on buses and in public places.» —“See...
vision clearance engineer n.— «Vision Clearance Engineer has been voted the daftest job title of all time, crowning a growing list of appointments whose descriptions seem designed to bemuse rather than inspire. The euphemism for window cleaner won...
playdar n.— «You develop what is called “playdar”—a bit like gaydar. Swingers can spot each other in public. A couple once picked me up in a regular bar.» —“Diary of a Swinger” by Ewan Morrison Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland) Apr. 3, 2007...